The branch line being considered for commuter service is already used during the football sports season for select game-day service between Foxboro Stadium, home of the New England Patriots football team, and Boston, MA. A second train operates on this branch on select game-days to Providence, RI.

The branch is part of the Framingham Secondary which was previously owned by CSX Corp. but purchased in recent times by the MBTA. The full length of the secondary runs an inland north-south route and connects the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in Mansfield, MA. with the inland route between Boston and Worcester in Framingham, MA. The proposed pilot service would start in Boston and run on either the NEC or Fairmount branches to Readville Junction, then travel the Franklin branch to Walpole, MA. At Walpole, it would leave the Franklin Branch and join the Framingham Secondary southward (west) to Foxboro, MA.

The Kraft Groups stadium parking lot used by the football stadium and the Krafts Patriot Place shopping mall would serve as a place for commuters to park. It is located on MA Rt 1 and a short distance from access to Interstate Rt 95.

The proposed train layover facility would be on Kraft Group property at the edge of the parking lot that is currently used for storage and the former site of a seasonal Halloween haunted house concession which ended several years ago.

Diesel multi-units (DMU) had been proposed for this service but present state budget constraints will not see that happen. Rather some configuration of the present MBTA diesel-powered commuter trainsets operating in push-pull configuration would be used.

Krantz also said that the Kraft Group would not do anything that would negatively affect the value of their property or their neighbors properties. He also cited a DeVellis quote from a past issue of The Foxboro Reporter where DeVellis had said that he trusts the Kraft Group.

A previous 4-1 vote giving the boards blessing to the project was taken at the end of November of last year.

However, that approval came with a number of conditions, including a permanent ban on an overnight layover facility for trains in town.

However, in a Dec. 20 letter, the MBTA explained that, while a layover would not be a part of a pilot program, permanent rail service would almost certainly require a layover.

The 2015 MOU between the DOT, The Kraft Group and the MBTA to provide permanent commuter rail service to Foxboro is serving as the basis for the pilot program has a layover included in it.

The selectmen did not decide on whether or not to endorse the pilot program until Tuesdays meeting because they were not able to get all five members at a meeting until Jan. 24, after which DeVellis, who put the layover condition on the original approval, asked that the MBTA and the Kraft Group come in and speak about the layover issue.

Coholan gave an overview of activities at layovers, saying that these facilities are used to park trains, and that they are located primarily at the end of train lines. He also said that inspections and light repairs are conducted there as well.

In his comments, DeVellis said that he went to Scituate to look at the layover facility there. He noted that, while there is a mitigation wall in place there, it doesnt completely mask the activities at the layover station.

I definitely could hear the noise, he said, adding that one could also smell diesel.

DeVellis also asked about what kind of input the town would have in the process of siting the layover station and in the mitigation efforts for it, and was informed by Town Manager Bill Keegan that such a facility would be immune from town zoning, although Coppola raised questions about that. He then said that he was looking for some assurances from the MBTA or the Kraft Group, which caused Krantz to speak up.

Krantz pointed out that the MOU was a framework, not a final contract, and outlined some key points of it.

On the layover, Krantz said that an effort would be made to keep the layover away from North Street and residences. Although the MOU does give a location for the layover, Krantz noted that the Kraft group does have the option to propose another location, and characterized the currently proposed location as a placeholder.

DeVellis also said that he hadnt appreciated the MBTA not saying that there would be a layover station in Foxboro in their initial presentation on the pilot program, when they were asked if one was coming.

Either they sent people that didnt know or someone wasnt telling the truth, said DeVellis.

Coppola was the only selectman to vote against the pilot program in November, and her opposition was unchanged at Tuesdays meeting.

It was noisy, there was an odor, there was vibration, said Coppola, speaking of the Scituate layover. We were on the streets that were right behind the wall. And there was noise, and there was a smell.

She said that such effects should be mitigated, and noted that mitigation in Scituate had included the construction of both a wall and payments to property owners.

She also noted that Foxboro is not formally a part of the MOU.

I see in no way where the town of Foxboro has a seat at that table, said Coppola.

She also asked what guarantees could be given that neighbors would not be negatively affected by a layover, even with mitigation, seeming to conclude that such an assurance would not be possible.

That neighborhood in Scituate is not a pretty neighborhood, she said.

Krantz assured her that the town would have a seat at the table. Coppola said that she believed Krantzs word, but that she wanted to see such an assurance in writing before the vote. Krantz did not object to putting the assurance in writing, but said that doing so before the vote would not be necessary.

I will work with Mr. Krantz directly to make sure that that happens, said Keegan.

Coppola once again questioned the need for a station in Foxboro, and noted that the proposed line would not go to Back Bay station.

Toward the end of the debate, Board of Selectmen Chairman David Feldman noted that there hasnt been a large outcry from residents who might be effected by a layover.

Theres been very little pushback (from) people on North Street and Hallowell, he said.

He also noted the widespread support that the pilot program has received in town.

I dont see how we can go in any other direction, said Feldman.

He also said that federal regulations would also govern the development of the site.

I think we have adequate protection, he said.

In the end, the board voted to rescind their previous endorsement and replace it with an endorsement that was in line with the MBTAs Dec. 20 reply, and asked that the town would work directly with the MBTA and the Kraft Group to address any concerns that come out of the pilot program. Coppola was once again the only no vote.

The towns assent was necessary for the pilot program to go forward. The project now needs to be approved by the MBTAs Fiscal Management Control Board, which expressed skepticism about the pilot at a recent meeting.

Photo submissions are welcome. DF is always interested in images that demonstrate the positive aspects of rail, transit, intermodalism, transportation-oriented development, and current newsworthy events associated with our mission. Please contact the webmasterin advance of sending large images so we can recommend attachment by e-mail or grant direct file transfer protocol (FTP) access depending on size. Descriptive text which includes location and something about the content of the image is required. We will credit the photographer and offer a return link to your web site or e-mail address.

Destination Freedom is partially funded by the Surdna Foundation, and other contributors.